Paint tray

ABSTRACT

A paint tray for suspended attachment to a ladder in a manner locating the tray in a substantially level position. Handle structure is provided enabling one handed carrying of the tray to and from its ladder position in a horizontal position with little risk of spillage. Apertures within the handle structure of the tray permit carrying of one or more brushes or roller-type paint applicators on the paint tray.

ilnited States Patent Jackson 1 Sept. 11, 1973 4] PAINT TRAY [76] inventor: Benjamin L. Jackson, 1878 Chamelton St. Eugene, Greg Attorney-James D. Givnan, Jr.

221 Filed: Oct. 29, 1971 Appl. No.: 193,775

UNITED STATES PATENTS Bonci 15/257.06

[57] ABSTRACT A paint tray for suspended attachment to a ladder in a manner locating the tray in a substantially level position. Handle structure is provided enabling one handed carrying of the tray to and from its ladder position in a horizontal position with little risk of spillage. Apertures within the handle structure of the tray permit carrying of one or more brushes or roller-type paint applicators on the paint tray.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAramauswmn 3.157. 380

INVENTOR. BENJAMIN L. JACKSON PAINT TRAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a paint tray and particularly to one for suspended engagement with the rungs of a ladder. Further, the tray includes handle structure for carrying of same in a highly convenient manner when detached from the ladder.

Paint trays of the type useable with roller-type paint applicators are well known in the art and are, characteristically, of rectangular configuration having an inclined bottom wall with downwardly extending foot members engageable with ladder components. Such trays do not lend themselves to secure attachment to an extension ladder nor are they easily carried. up and down same to and from the painting site. Additionally no means are provided for the storage of brushes or roller-type applicators. Such trays being of low sidewall configuration require very careful handling normally requiring both hands of the user to carry same. For the most part existing paint trays, to the extent known, are

for indoor use in conjunction with the flat steps or rungs of a step ladder and are not adaptable for use with the circular sectioned rungs of an outdoor ladder, extension or otherwise.

Carrying of a paint supply and brush or brushes up and down a ladder is an awkward task particularly so since one hand must be kept free for grasping of the ladder. No provision is made in the paint containers I am aware of for securely supporting same in place on a ladder having rungs nor is provision made for convenient. one handed carrying of a paint tray. Further, brush or other type applicators must be carried separately from the prior art paint tray.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The present invention is embodied within a paint tray for suspension in a stable manner from a ladder. The paint receptacle of the tray is in angular relationship to the ladder engaging members to provide a horizontally disposed, highly accessible paint receptacle. A handle is so located as to permit carrying of the tray in a horizontally balanced manner with little risk of paint spillage. r r v An important object of the present invention is to provide a paint tray for use with either a brush or rollertype applicator and one which may be conveniently carried to and from the painting location upon ja'ladder.

The handle is disposed centrally above the paint receptacle for purposesof achieving thebalanc'e desired.

A further important object is to provide a paint tray which, when in place on the ladder is not susceptible to beingaccidentallydislodged and may in some cases remain inplace during repositioning of the ladder along a wall being painted. The handle provided on the paint tray permits the tray to be separated from the ladder simply by lifting of the tray while said tray retains its level disposition.

A further important object of the invention resides in the dual capability of the paint tray permitting either a brush or roller-type applicator to be used therewith. An insertable ramp is provided for placement within the paint receptacle with the inclined surface of the ramp serving to remove excess paint from a roller applicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the accompanying drawing:

' FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present paint tray operatively disposed adjacent the upper end of an extension type ladder,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tray removed from the ladder and being carried with brushes stored thereon, 1

FIG. 2A is a view of a modified hook portion of the paint tray,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paint tray, and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the paint tray receptacle showing an insertable ramp therefor elevated from its normal recessed position for purposes of illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly identified in the following specification, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally the paint tray structure embodying the present invention in place adjacent the upper end of a ladder L. A paint receptacle for the tray is indicated at 11 and is generally of open, box-like configuration.

An inclined back wall 12 of paint receptacle 11 is secured to a pair of upwardly and outwardly inclined hangers 13. Each hanger terminates upwardly in a curved hook portion 13A for spaced engagement with a rung R of a ladder while the remaining planar portions of said hangers are in resting contact against a subjacent rung. In instances when the present paint tray is fabricated from sheet metal, back wall 12 of the paint receptacle 11 maybe spot welded at 14 or otherwise suitably secured to the hangers l3.

Handle supporting structure of the tray includes pair of outwardly projecting handle supports 15 which are suitably secured at 16 to their respective hangers 13. Each of said supports 15 is shown apertured at 15A for the reception of brush handles H (FIG. 2) for carrying of the brushes on the paint tray. The outer ends of the supports 15 terminate in engagement with the ends of a handle 18 and may be rolled thereabout at 17 for convenience of attachment. Extending downwardly from the handle are a pair of receptacle supporting arms 19 in attachment at 19A to the outer, opposite ends of paint receptacle 11. The handle supporting structure shown discloses the upper ends of arms 19 secured by wood screws 20.

With attention to FIG. 2, a pair of consecutive ladder rungs are shown in phantom lines to illustrate the relationship of the paint tray 10 to a ladder in place against a wall being painted. The disposition of the tray is also retained substantially level when lifted away from the ladder as by one hand of the user as shown also in FIG. 2. Handle 18 is located so as to be closely adjacent the vertical plane containing the paint trays center of gravity, which of course will vary somewhat by reason of different quantities of paint or different sized brushes being stored within the apertures 15A provided for same. While paint brushes are shown in the drawing it will be obvious that the tubular handle of aroller applicator may be inserted through the brush receptacle 15A.

FIG. 2A discloses a hanger l3 modified at its upper end at 13A to provide an angular hook portion to engage, in a suspended manner, the rung or top crossmember of a step ladder with the remaining parts of the paint tray being as above described.

For use of the paint tray with a roller applicator I provide an insertable ramp at 21 in FIGS. 3 and 4. The ramp corresponds generally to the interior dimensions of the paint tray as illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the ramp is shown in outline in dashed lines. The upwardly inclined surface of the ramp is formed in an irregular manner with ribs at 21A providing sufficient resistance to roller travel to impart rotation to same for removing excess paint. The ramp is shown in side elevation in F IG. 4 raised from its normal resting position upon the tray bottom wall as indicated by the dashed lines. If so desired the ramp insert may be reversed within the tray to best suit the individual preference of the user. i

The present paint tray may be constructed from sheet metal being assembled in a conventional sheet metal operation or alternatively in knock-down form for assembly by the user by means of threaded fastening elements. The handle 18 may comprise a section of wood doweling of an inch or so diameter.

In use the paint tray is filled to the level desired for example within an inch or so of its upper edge as the risk of spillage is minimal. The brush or brushes (or roller applicators) to be used are inserted handle first in the apertures A whereupon'the tray or brushes are ready for one handed carrying to and up the ladder. For

painting done from a scaffold the present tray may be set in place thereon with the downwardly projecting ends of the hangers 13 imparting slight inclination to the tray to insure a residual amount of paint being drained to the outer end of the receptacle for easy access. The handle structure is so positioned as to provide convenient access to the paint receptacle at all times with paint brush or roller entry being unhindered.

While I have shown but a few embodiments of the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is desired to be secured under a Letters Patent is:

1. A paint tray for suspension intermediate the rails of an inclined ladder structure or alternatively from one hand of the user, said tray comprising,

a paint receptacle of box-like configuration,

a pair of rigid hangers extending upwardly in an inclined parallel manner from said receptacle and terminating at their upper ends in hooked engagement with a rung of the ladder, said hangers in rested engagement adjacent their lower ends on a second ladder rung, said rigid hangers terminating downwardly in securement to a wall of the paint receptacle,

said receptacle and hangers lying in intersecting planes having an included angle of greater than so as to positon the paint receptacle substantially level when the hangers are engaged with the rungs of an operatively disposed inclined ladder,

a handle above the paint receptacle, and

a rigid handle supporting structure located above and intermediate the ends of said paint receptacle so as to cause the paint receptacle to retain its level disposition or substantially level disposition when carried by its handle, the handle supporting structure including a pair of upright arms rigidly secured at their lower ends to the paint receptacle and terminating upwardly in securement to said handle, a pair of handle supports each rigidly secured at one end to one of said hangers and secured in a like manner at their opposite ends to said handle, said paint tray thereby adapted for carrying in a one handed suspended manner to and from a painting site and for convenient engagement with the rungs of a ladder.

2.'A paint tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle supporting structure is apertured to receive paint brush handles or the like facilitating convenient carrying of the paint tray and inserted brushes.

3. A paint tray as claimed in claim 1 additionally including a ramp member positionable within the paint receptacle in place on the bottom wall of the receptacle for use in conjunction with a roller-type paint applicator.

4.A paint tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein said handle supporting structure is apertured to receive paint brush handles or the like facilitating convenient carrying of the paint tray and inserted brushes. 

1. A paint tray for suspension intermediate the rails of an inclined ladder structure or alternatively from one hand of the user, said tray comprising, a paint receptacle of box-like configuration, a pair of rigid hangers extending upwardly in an inclined parallel manner from said receptacle and terminating at their upper ends in hooked engagement with a rung of the ladder, said hangers in rested engagement adjacent their lower ends on a second ladder rung, said rigid hangers terminating downwardly in securement to a wall of the paint receptacle, said receptacle and hangers lying in intersecting planes having an included angle of greater than 90* so as to positon the paint receptacle substantially level when the hangers are engaged with the rungs of an operatively disposed inclined ladder, a handle above the paint receptacle, and a rigid handle supporting structure located above and intermediate the ends of said paint receptacle so as to cause the paint receptacle to retain its level disposition or substantially level disposition when carried by its handle, the handle supporting structure including a pair of upright arms rigidly secured at their lower ends to the paint receptacle and terminating upwardly in securement to said handle, a pair of handle supports each rigidly secured at one end to one of said hangers and secured in a like manner at their opposite ends to said handle, said paint tray thereby adapted for carrying in a one handed suspended manner to and from a painting site and for convenient engagement with the rungs of a ladder.
 2. A paint tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle supporting structure is apertured to receive paint brush handles or the like facilitating convenient carrying of the paint tray and inserted brushes.
 3. A paint tray as claimed in claim 1 additionally including a ramp member positionable within the paint receptacle in place on the bottom wall of the receptacle for use in conjunction with a roller-type paint applicator.
 4. A paint tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein said handle supporting structure is apertured to receive paint brush handles or the like facilitating convenient carrying of the paint tray and inserted brushes. 